The correct answer is no. Up and down the West Coast, paper and plastic grocery bags are takintg a hit. On Monday, the Seattle City Council will vote on a proposal to put a 20-cent gree fee on paper and plastic bags at grocery, drug and convenience stores. You can bet your stinkiest compost bin it will pass handily.The next city to go green may be Portland.

Higher gasoline prices are no tea party, but there are seeds of a revolution in those spinning numbers at the pump. I suspect the energy crisis of 2008 is compelling enough not only to change behavior but also to change minds.

The next new thing for public transportation in Puget Sound is pure pragmatism, moving people and goods efficiently. We are changing our driving habits and our attitudes. Light rail and buses? Bring them on, get them done.

Commuters standing on trains and buses on the way to work and back are not interested in more debates. For a Q&A on my Friday, July 25 column, please click below.